Departments

Transportation Department

The Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District is dedicated to transporting children safety on a daily basis. The Bus Garage is open every school day from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and can be reached by calling Transportation Director Kitty Rhow at (315) 548-6400 and krhow@midlakes.org. Be sure to inform us of any changes in your child's schedule.

School Bus Safety

Parents: Make sure your child knows of an alternate drop-off location for an emergency dismissal. Be sure to contact the Transportation Department AND the Main Office at your child's schools if this information needs to be updated.

School Bus Rules

Stay in your seat while the bus is moving.

Keep the bus clean and the aisles clear.

Keep head, hands, and arms inside the bus.

No eating or drinking on the bus.

No smoking on the bus.

No pets, guests, large objects, glass, or sharp objects on the bus.

Be courteous and speak quietly.

No throwing objects either in the bus or out of the windows/doors.

Boarding/Exiting Procedures

Use the handrail when on the bus stairs.

If crossing the street, make eye contact with your driver.

Be sure to wait for a signal to cross.

Never go back after crossing.

How Can I Keep My Child Safe on the Bus?

Parents should take time to check the child's clothing to ensure that it is safe. Long, dangling jackets/sweatshirt drawstrings, backpack straps, loose scarves, and clothing can be dangerous when getting on/off the bus.

What Do All Those Lights on a School Bus Mean?

Our school buses have what we call an eight-light system. The red and yellow lights ABOVE the windows are the lights the bus driver must use whenever students are entering or leaving the bus. The red lights mean STOP. The yellow lights are a warning to let motorists know that the bus is about to stop to pick up or drop off students. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop.

When do I stop?

Motorists moving in any direction must stop whenever the red lights above the windows are on. This could occur on the road but also in student loading areas, parking lots, divided highways, etc. New York State law does not allow motorists to pass a school bus when the red lights are on unless waved on by a school bus driver or police officer. ALWAYS BE CAUTIOUS. Bus drivers use hand signals to let students who are crossing the street know that it is safe. Don't confuse these signals.

What other laws do I need to know?

School buses carry passengers and cannot turn right on red. School buses must stop at railroad crossings. Be prepared to stop when following a school bus that is approaching railroad tracks.

Other safe driving practices

Be patient. Try to understand that safety is the most important concern for any school bus driver. Take a deep breath, consider the passengers on the bus and try to avoid anger or frustration that can lead to poor driving.

Be defensive, not aggressive when driving around school buses. Try to anticipate dangerous situations, stops and other drivers' mistakes when you are driving near or with children. School buses have fewer accidents than standard vehicles, largely in part to the bus drivers' training in defensive driving.

Anticipate stops. School buses stop frequently. They usually stop at all marked stop or yield signs and railroad crossings. They also stop to unload and load.

Keep a safe distance from the back of a school bus. Keep at least 10 feet (3 m) between you and the school bus at all times, to allow for stops. Watch the bus’s brake lights to ensure you start to brake immediately when necessary

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The Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District will enable students to demonstrate college and career readiness by displaying: Strong Moral Character; Critical Thinking Skills; Perseverance; Cultural Awareness; and Innovation